Harper on Thursday invited social media followers to use the hashtag #pmhadfield to submit questions for the astronaut, who is currently circling the planet aboard the international space station. “Kids! I’ll be speaking live online with @Cmdr_Hadfield later this month. Use #pmhadfield to submit your questions to me by noon tomorrow,” the prime minister’s account tweeted.

The reaction to the hashtag wasn’t entirely stellar. For example, one respondent tweeted: “@Cmdr_Hadfield, is there anything you can see from space sadder than the Tar Sands?” Another asked: “#pmhadfield, Can you see where all our tax dollars are going from space?”

Members of cabinet were targeted by some of the suggested questions too.”What do you think about the Minister of Science in Canada being a creationist who doesn’t even have a university degree?” demanded one tweet (Minister Gary Goodyear did attend university, studying science, but left. He later graduated from chiropractic college.) “Why is the Prime Minister’s government defunding basic scientific research and muzzling scientists?” asked another.

Then there were the personal touches.”#pmhadfield Who’s the most evil guy with weird grey hair? PM Harper or Khaaaaannnnn?” asked one tweet.

Not everyone on Twitter was impressed with the tone of the questioning. One person tweeted: “Perhaps some of you twits could back off – let an interested Canadian kid ask a question instead of displaying your arrogance.”

Eventually, Harper’s twitter account announced that he had found some acceptable questions to share with Hadfield. “Thank you to everyone who sent in questions for @Cmdr_Hadfield. I’ll be sure to announce the date of our online talk when it is confirmed,” the prime minister’s office tweeted.

Recently, Harper has made attempts to bolster his social media presence. His office tweeted a picture of him rolling up the rim at a hockey game in Saskatoon. It also tweeted a series of photos that depicted his daily routine as Prime Minister of Canada.Twitter: @Patrick_ORourke.